Macron Urged To Discuss Problems Of Accidental Americans At Trump Meeting

French lawmakers are working to ensure President Macron brings up the subject of ‘accidental Americans’ during his April meeting with Trump.

French politicians sympathetic with the plight of ‘accidental Americans’ are hoping against hope they can persuade their president to raise the matter during his visit to Washington next month. The issue would need to be discussed with the US Treasury and the US Internal Revenue Service by representatives of the French Ministry of Finance. Deputy Speaker of the French National Assembly Marc le Fur has agreed to assist French/American dual citizens struggling with the IRS’s demands.

Le Fur is determined to ensure the dual citizens’ plight is on the menu for discussions during the visit, although it’s unlikely any direct discussions will take place between Macron and Trump over the issue. The matter is likely to be brought up as a means to ensure its serious consideration in future talks between the French and US tax authorities. According to a French news sheet, French MP Roland LeSecure has contacts within the US Treasury and the IRS and is certain the two countries will be able move forward on the issue.

L’Association des Americains Accidentels (AAA) was started last year by a number of French nationals considered to be American as they were born in the USA of French parents, but who consider themselves as French and have spent their lives in France. They are determined to challenge the IRS claims that they are subject to USA tax laws and compelled to file annual tax returns. The accidentals’ problems with the IRS became crucial after the introduction of FATCA in 2010, at which point their lives became costly and complicated even although they had no formal ties to America for most of their lives.

According to campaign group leader Fabien Lehagre, the present day political terrain is conducive to a solution for those affected. Republicans Overseas is now mobilised and determined to keep up pressure to change the current US tax system which is based on citizenship rather than location, with a number of prominent Democrats in agreement. The AAA group is also requesting that those who wish to do so may relinquish their US citizenship without having to pay fees of $2,350 plus a punitive exit tax.